Topeka Runaway Disaster

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Topeka Runaway Disaster
Details
Date27 November 1994; 30 years ago (1994-11-27)
4:45 AM
LocationTopeka, Kansas
Country United States
LineCentral Gateway Turtle Railroad
CauseBrake line leak
Statistics
Trains1
Passengers867
Crew3
Pedestrians5
Deaths178
Injuries309
Damage1 GP40FH-2
8 Bi-level coaches

The Topeka Runaway Disaster was a railway accident that occured on November 27, 1994 (1994-11-27), in Topeka, Kansas, when CGTR's Thundering Lapis—containing 8 bi-level passenger coaches and being pulled by CGTR #1, an EMD GP40FH-2—would fly off of a bend at 77 miles per hour (124 km/h), crushing 2 cars, derailing all 9 cars and locomotives, and killing 178 people and injuring 309 more after losing control due to a brake line leak.